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Second failure of new amplifier

Two weeks ago I burned my new amplifier equipped with eight 6L6 tubes. I had been using the amp for one week before that and everything was OK. The failure occurred when I was switching the amp to the standby position and then to the "off" position (two small tubes and two central power tubes flared, so I switched it off and disconnected from the mains immediately). Switched on - no sound. I found out then that the failure was caused by one damaged 6L6 tube and one burnt fuse.

I replaced the fuse and one tube and everything was OK, until I decided to listen to the music today. I listened to it for 15 minutes, then the same problem occurred - when I was switching it to the standby position and then to the "off" position, there was a clapping sound, one 12AU7 tube ignited (flared strongly) and the tubes do not glow after switching on. I will explore this problem further when I come back from work.

When I was purchasing this amplifier (I would prefer not to disclose the manufacturer), my local dealer claimed that the amp had a "stabilized power supply design" or something like that. One of my audiophile friends dissuaded me from bying this amp, saying that 4 output tubes per channel may cause a problem. The dealer said "don't listen to him - he does not know what a "stabilized design" means."

I think I know now what is "stabilized design" - it's burning fuses and tubes every second day. My dealer is reluctant to take it back even for resale (I suggested that he took it for repair and sold it and only after that give me money), but he claims that the guarantee is void because I replaced the stock tubes (12AU7 and 6922) with my own (vintage)tubes and that I should have waited for a couple of months (while it was burning-in) and should have used it with stock tubes without replacing them for other tubes. He added that according to the European ISO standards, changing the tubes would void the warranty.

My questions are:

1. Does tube-rolling in a new amplifier always void the warranty?
2. Is it true that the auto-bias function (especially when the amp is powered with so many (8!) output tubes is unreliable as compared to manual bias adjustment (like my other amp - Cary SLI-80)?
3. Is it normal when a brand new amplifier behaves like this?

I will appreciate all comments, opinions and suggestions.
transl
mlsstl
1,405 posts
 
I'm surprised by those who think tube rolling wouldn't void the warranty.
I gather you don't have much technical experience with tubes. You can get a tube data manual and find that any given tube - say a 6922 for example - has to meet a set of specifications unique to that tube. See
http://www.mclink.it/com/audiomatica/tubes/6dj8.htm
for this particular example. It doesn't really matter which manufacturer makes the tube; if it is a 6922 it should meet those specs and be safe to use in any circuit designed to use that tube.

Any differences in sonic characteristics will be due to slight differences in physical construction - say one manufacturer's screen or plate may differ slightly even though the raw electrical specs are the same.

As noted before, any manufactured product can be or become defective. It is far more likely that the tube that caused your problem was simply defective (or headed that way) when you installed it.
justlisten's avatar
justlisten
489 posts
 
Mlsstl is 100% correct. like # tubes are the same, whether they be NOS or current production and use of NOS tubes should not void a warranty. what happens if the supplied maker of the tube closes? a tube is much like a lightbulb, a 60watt Phillips is the same as a 60watt GE.
accent
41 posts
 
Contact the manufacturer, and tell them how the dealer is treating you. AND you should tell us how its resolved.
If you used the wrong tubes though then its a learning curve.
Tube rolling is part of the fun...
gs5556
1,218 posts
 
Is it always the same tube socket? If it is, check the socket under a bright light. Look for burn marks, carbon deposits or mechanical damage in the pin holders and solder points. Use a magnifying glass as even a carbon coating could cause an arc short - and it does seem like there's a short somewhere. Could have been initially caused by a bad tube and replacements may suffer the same fate.

Rolling tubes may have an effect in causing tube failure if the amplifier has a fixed bias setting. Even if the tubes are compatible substitutes, there could be a slight change. But not enought to result in a short IMO.

Curious... why use the standby switch to power down? Is it recommended? Using the standby does not allow the tube B+ voltage and power supply caps to power down gradually. Also, the bias settings may be affected when you roll tubes which may cause the plate current to increase. These may be reasons why the first tube and fuse blew in the first place or just pushed it to premature failure. I'm just going by my experience with guitar amps - power on with standby but power down with just the power switch - but whatever your manual says overrides.
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
I think your dealer is full of it. I have never heard rolling tubes can void a warranty and if this particular amp will not allow for tube rolling than it should be noted in the warranty or this unscrupulous dealer should have stated it to you. Usually unauthorized modifications or abuse will void the warranty. If possible speak to another amp manufacturer to get an idea of their thoughts on tube rolling in their amps. I know my amp calls for 6550 tubes and I wanted to use KT88's. I called Conrad Johnson and although it wouldn't void my warranty, I was told that I would be unable to bias the KT88's, but that is a far cry from voiding a warranty. I also contacted Cary at one point because I wanted to replace the 6SN7 tubes in my SLP98 preamp with 5692 tubes. The Cary tech told me that it would be no problem and that I would probably like the 5692 tubes very much. This has to work out for you, as you have done nothing wrong. If you cannot get satisfaction from this dealer, then you should contact the better business bureau. Good Luck to you!!
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